Summary
Experienced Product Owner and technology leader with a strong background in developing and scaling SaaS solutions for franchise businesses. Successfully designed and launched interconnected platforms, including JetRecruiter, LokateCRM, and Social Fabric, enhancing business processes and driving adoption. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams and integrating AI-powered analytics to optimize product performance. Eager to leverage expertise in product management and innovation to deliver impactful solutions as a Product Owner.
Work Experience
Lokate Partners, LLC Jun 2022 – Present
PRODUCT OWNER Hybrid / Northwest Arkansas
- Founded Lokate Partners to develop a suite of interconnected SaaS products (Recruiting, CRM, Analytics, Retention, & Communication) for franchise businesses, leading to increased operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
- Designed and developed all core platforms, including JetRecruiter, LokateCRM, Lokate Intelligence, Lokate Communication, and a Retention Platform, resulting in a comprehensive suite that supports franchise business needs
- Led the development and implementation of AI-powered analytics and automation across all platforms to enhance performance and optimize business processes.
- Scaled the business by driving rapid adoption of the platform across a growing network of franchisees, utilizing strategic marketing and customer engagement techniques
Home Helpers of Arkansas Nov 2021 – Present
CMO Hybrid / Northwest Arkansas
- Led all aspects of internal and external marketing efforts, including SEO, paid advertising, digital marketing, and social media, resulting in increased brand visibility and customer engagement
- Oversaw company growth by expanding from 9 to 35 franchise offices, enhancing market presence and revenue potential
- Managed and mentored high-performing teams across staffing, sales, and executive management, leading to improved team productivity and sales performance
- Implemented business automation and developed SaaS solutions to reduce overhead and expedite revenue, resulting in streamlined operations and increased profitability
jaythornton000 Sep 2013 – Nov 2021
CONSULTANT Nationwide
- Provided strategic consulting services to small and medium-sized businesses, leading to improved operational efficiency and increased revenue growth
- Implemented efficient processes, automated workflows, and leveraged data-driven insights, resulting in significant annual overhead expense reductions for clients
- Developed and implemented scalable systems to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and identify areas for constant revision and improvement.
Collective Bias Jul 2009 – Sep 2013
VP – TECHNOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, & USER EXPERIENCE Bentonville, AR
- Joined as employee number one and played a key role in building Collective Bias into a leading social media marketing agency that ultimately exited ~$100MM.
- Led the design, development, and implementation of technology platforms and user experiences, improving operational efficiency and user satisfaction by utilizing Agile methodologies
- Guided the company through a Series A funding round and scaled the team to over 150 employees by implementing strategic hiring and training programs
- Played a crucial role in the successful acquisition of the company.
Key Skills
Product Design & Development, Product Management & Marketing, Team Building & Leadership, Agile Development & Project Management, SaaS Design & Development, AI Integration & Automation, Business Strategy & Growth, Agile methodology, Scrum framework, Product roadmap, Stakeholder management, User stories, Backlog prioritization, Cross-functional teams, Market research, Product lifecycle management, KPIs and metrics, Customer feedback, Release planning, Vision and strategy, Competitive analysis, User experience (UX), Data-driven decision making, Collaboration tools (e.g., JIRA, Confluence), Risk management, Budget management, Team leadership